The magic of ‘Practical Magic’ might have looked effortless on screen, but making the movie was anything but simple.
From an alleged real witch cursing the set to several other controversies that marked the production, here are 10 fascinating behind-the-scenes facts about ‘Practical Magic’ you probably didn’t know.
10. The Actresses Actually Got Drunk On Midnight Margaritas
One of the movie’s most memorable moments is the midnight margaritas scene, where Sally, Gillian and the aunts dance around the kitchen to Harry Nilsson’s “Coconut”. During the scene, the actresses actually ended up drunk.
Nicole Kidman brought her own tequila to the set, and they all got tipsy and danced. Director Griffin Dunne also joined in, and the entire shoot turned into an actual party.
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9. Nicole Kidman Almost Hurt Herself For A Scene
Nicole Kidman was willing to go to extreme lengths to make one of the movie’s most intense scenes feel authentic. During the exorcism scene, she insisted on actually slamming her head on the floor to make it look more convincing.
The production team placed rubber protections underneath her to reduce the risk of injury, but still the concern remained whether she would land safely. Take after take, Kidman committed herself completely to the scene, to the point that director Dunne thought she was actually possessed.
8. The Filming Locations Caused Unexpected Controversy
The movie was partly filmed in the San Juan Islands, but the production faced an unusual problem while creating the Owens family mansion. They found a suitable piece of land, but local authorities refused to let them dig into the soil because of its Native history.
Instead, the elaborate house was constructed on a platform to avoid disturbing the ground. It was also completely dismantled the moment filming was complete.
7. Barbra Streisand Actually Wanted To Buy The Mansion
The Owens sisters’ beautiful Victorian mansion was so convincing that even Barbra Streisand was fooled. She contacted the home’s designer because she wanted to buy the house after seeing it in ‘Practical Magic’.
Unfortunately, there was one major problem: the mansion never existed. It was an architectural shell, built specifically for cameras, and even the interiors were separately constructed on a Hollywood studio set. Once filming wrapped, the shell was dismantled, leaving Streisand with nothing to buy.
6. ‘Practical Magic’ Became A Favorite Among Real Witches
Although ‘Practical Magic’ struggled at the box office when it was first released, it eventually found a devoted cult following, including among people who practice witchcraft. In interviews, real witches have praised the film many times.
They really liked the film for putting women at the center of the story while male characters were largely in the background. Some also viewed the aunts as a positive representation of witches. Though many appreciated the movie’s portrayal of love spells, it was also pointed out that sacrificing doves is never a part of the practice.
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5. Stevie Nicks Was One Of The Film’s Inspirations
The producers turned to former Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks for the soundtrack. She contributed two songs, “Crystal” and “If You Ever Did Believe”, and the latter was the movie’s theme.
But there is another playful connection behind her involvement. Nicks had long been rumored by many to be a witch because of her style and mysterious image, although she has always denied the claims. Her distinctive fashion style also influenced the costume design for the films.
4. An Actual Witch Cursed The Movie
Director Griffin Dunne hired an actual witch to serve as a consultant during the production. However, things went downhill when she demanded a share of the movie’s profit along with an additional $250,000.
After the producers refused, she threatened to place a curse on both the director and the movie. She later left the director a disturbing voicemail, warning him about a “land of curse” and then speaking in tongues.
3. The Director Went Through An Exorcism
The strange encounter with the witch left director Griffin Dunne feeling uneasy, and he had to take extra precautions. Worried that he might be affected by black magic, Dunne decided to undergo an exorcism.
He later described the experience as a relatively simple New Age-style ceremony involving chanting, smoke, and other rituals. Dunne also explained that the ceremony was worth it for his own peace of mind.
2. The Failed Spin-offs Of ‘Practical Magic’
The upcoming sequel is not the only time Hollywood has tried to bring ‘Practical Magic’ back. As the original film gradually became a cult favourite, several attempts were made to expand the story through television.
In 2003, CBS began developing a spin-off, and even Sandra Bullock and Denise Di Novi got involved as producers, but the project never moved forward. Later, ABC Family announced plans for a television reboot, which also never failed to materialize.
1. The Original Movie Was Much Darker
The ‘Practical Magic’ we know today is a significantly lighter and altered version of the story. The novel puts more emphasis on Sally’s teenage children while the aunts play a much smaller role.
Gillian’s abusive boyfriend Jimmy is also more fully developed, and the original version of the movie focused heavily on domestic violence. But the studio felt that it was too intense and made many changes to the storyline.
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